Anonymous wrote:My family wants a dog, and I am somewhat resistant because I know I will end up doing most of the work. I think dogs are cute but did not grow up with them (we had cats), and I know that puppies are like newborns, which is a little terrifying.

I have spent so much time researching dog breeds, and IF we decide to move forward with a dog, I think I have settled on wanting it to be a cavapoo. I like their size, lack of shedding, they are adorable, and everything I read points out a sweet and laid back disposition. I do not want a hyper or anxious dog.

If you have a cavapoo, please tell me about your experience and be super honest - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I haven’t given in yet.

And yet you are wanting a poodle mix? First, a cavapoo is a designer mix -- there is no breed standard, and breeding is all about making $$. So the pup's temperament really could be anything. Second, poodle mixes are often hyper and anxious because the poodles they are using to breed designer mixes are often hyper and anxious. My dog was the poodle part of the mix at a puppy mill marketing mainly malti-poos. She's quite anxious (and, given the dna test, not all poodle -- there's maltese and bichon in her as well).

If you want sweet and calm, find a reputable cavalier kc breeder. If you want smart and playful and hypoallergenic, find a good mini poodle or toy poodle breeder.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not get a dog you'll leave alone all day in a crate. That qualifies as cruelty and will not benefit the temperament and behavior of the dog.

Where did you get the idea that I would do that?!

I got the idea based on everything you've said so far. Because I'm not an idiot.

You sound crazy.

No, I'd say that was a pretty accurate, level-headed assessment of the OP's intentions.

We have one and she is the best dog ever. I do agree with advice not to get a puppy if you can, but it is very hard to find a cavapoo adult. We got ours as a puppy and it was a lot of work but she was easily trained and just completely adorable so it was ok!
She still sleeps in her crate as she loves it, but if we leave her home alone for a few hours in the day she isn’t in her crate.

Anonymous wrote:Do not get a dog you'll leave alone all day in a crate. That qualifies as cruelty and will not benefit the temperament and behavior of the dog.

+1. I have a large dog (I mostly like the larger breeds because generally bigger head = bigger brain), and she has never been crated. I think crating is cruel. No one outside the US does it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our was truly the perfect dog. So sweet and cuddly, didn't bark, easy to train, loved people. He did, however, have a genetic heart issue that was a very sad way to lose him. It's super common in CKCs so be prepared for that.

+1

+1 - our 2 year old Cavapoo is the sweetest dog ever. The whole family fell in love immediately … Could not ask for a better dog!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not get a dog you'll leave alone all day in a crate. That qualifies as cruelty and will not benefit the temperament and behavior of the dog.

Where did you get the idea that I would do that?!

I got the idea based on everything you've said so far. Because I'm not an idiot.

You sound crazy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not get a dog you'll leave alone all day in a crate. That qualifies as cruelty and will not benefit the temperament and behavior of the dog.

Where did you get the idea that I would do that?!

I got the idea based on everything you've said so far. Because I'm not an idiot.

My neighbor has one. He comes over for play dates with our dog and we watch him while his person travels. He's a great, great little dog. Big dog in a little body, in the best way.

Stop pp, many of us have the same thoughts as Op. Op is asking a reasonable question. We chose a pug because they seldom barked.

So you don’t want it to be hyper, you don’t want it to bark, do you want to be able to leave it for a long times on end. Why don’t you just get a bunny?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have one. Best dog ever. Perfect dog if you do not want a big one.

Does not shed
Easily trained
Friendly
Chill but still plays
So cuddly
Easily travels

Thank you so much for responding. Can I please ask you a few more questions?



Thank you!!

Yes. Keep in mind I have 2 dogs and the cavapoo was a puppy with an older dog already in the home so I think that helps. They do like to be with other dogs/people.

-Do you work outside of the home, and if so what are your dog arrangements? - I do not but I am in and out of the house a lot. I sometimes take them in the car with me.

-Does the dog go in a crate and where does he/she sleep?
She crate trained as we were housetraining her but then didn't use the crate once she was housetrained. She sleeps in my bed.

-Was potty training easy or difficult?
Pretty easy. They want to please. We used a bell next to the door. Look it up.

-Does he/she bark a lot?
Sometimes when other dogs walk by and she sees them in the window. That can be trained out using a squirt bottle. (look that up.) Other than that, no.

-How much exercise/walking do you do? - We have a huge yard and take her on walks a few times a week. She actually gets overheated VERY easily. I am not sure why. We lived in a hot area so this summer has been hard with walks.

-Does the dog have separation anxiety?
I would say this is the biggest issue of any. We have another dog so she is fine when we leave. They do get used to it. The few times she has been alone alone by herself I have given her a Kong with treats and peanut butter and she doesn't notice when we leave. That said, that was after we used the crate.

OP, if you haven't had a dog before and you do have a pretty busy life already, I strongly recommend getting an adult dog rather than a puppy. I give you huge credit for acknowledging that you'll be be one doing most of the work, because even a well-trained adult dog is a significant lifestyle element, but a puppy is a lot.

I grew up with a dog and got a puppy in grad school, when my time was pretty flexible. Since then I've gotten married and had kids, and both our dogs were adults. My husband would really like a puppy sometime, and I might, too, if he were retired.

Cavaliers are annoying AF.

Cockapoo are great.

Cavs have other health issues too. OP, I think you are overthinking this a bit. No dog is a "perfect" dog if you are not a dog person. Keep your expectations in check.

Anonymous wrote:Our was truly the perfect dog. So sweet and cuddly, didn't bark, easy to train, loved people. He did, however, have a genetic heart issue that was a very sad way to lose him. It's super common in CKCs so be prepared for that.

+1